Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 May 2017 11 February 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Children flourish in the childminder's care. They have built extremely close bonds with the childminder and the other children in her setting. They are very happy, confident and demonstrate that they feel safe in her care.  The childminder has built exceptionally strong partnerships with parents. She ensures she keeps them very well informed about their children's progress and next steps in learning. The childminder highly values parents' input in their children's learning. She frequently provides a range of innovative ideas that parents can use at home to continue to support their children's excellent progress.  Children are provided with a wealth of opportunities for fresh air and exercise. The childminder takes them on trips to the woods and parks. Children eagerly learn more about their local community as they watch the barges going through the canal locks.  Children's mathematical development is extremely well promoted. The childminder uses

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This provision is outstanding

every opportunity to support their further development. For example, younger children confidently match shapes and colours, and older children talk about the different sizes of birds they have seen on the canal and in books.  The childminder is driven to continually improve her practice. She seeks out and attends frequent training and professional development opportunities to extend her skills and strengthen her knowledge.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 continue to extend the already excellent wide range of interesting, imaginative and challenging learning experiences and activities for children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to children during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through reading written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder puts safeguarding at the heart of everything she does. She has an extensive knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder knows who to contact in the local authority with any such concerns. She attends frequent training to keep herself updated with any new developments. The childminder very effectively evaluates her practice. She gathers the views of parents and children on a regular basis. The childminder shares excellent practice with other childminders. She skilfully uses all this information when identifying areas for development in her practice. The childminder frequently evaluates how children are achieving. She rapidly identifies and targets any gaps in learning. This supports children to continue to make excellent progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The childminder has very high expectations of what children can achieve while in her care. She inspires the children to learn through making all the learning opportunities enjoyable for children. The childminder adapts the extensive range of activities to capture each child's interest. She understands the importance of continuously providing challenging learning opportunities to enable children to build on what they know and maintain their excellent progress. The childminder fully supports children's language development. For example, she asks challenging questions about the stories they share. She encourages children to think and respond about what they think will happen next.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children behave exceptionally well. They quickly learn how to take turns and help one another. For example, children negotiate and share toys without the need of prompts from the childminder. The childminder skilfully utilises mealtimes to support children's understanding about food that is good for them. She challenges and encourages children to try a wide variety of new food from around the world. There are excellent hygiene practices in place and children know to wash their hands after blowing their nose and before mealtimes. Children, even from a young age rapidly learn about being independent. They happily tidy away toys before choosing something new. Children eagerly choose from different options, what they will eat for their lunch.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Younger children delight in the challenge of fitting the correct pieces into a truck shape sorter. All children enjoy picking flowers and exploring nature on their walk to and from school. They are making very rapid progress from their starting points. They are very eager learners and fully engage in the wide range of activities. Children are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage in learning and for their move on to nursery or school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY393543 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1093882 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 11 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 11 February 2015

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2009 and lives in Berkhamsted. She operates her provision all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder employs one assistant. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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